Patient/Caregiver Profiles
Do you have patients struggling with agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease?
Patricia
lives with her
daughter at home
![Patricia, Agitation associated with dementia due to Azheimer's Disease patient. Patricia, Agitation associated with dementia due to Azheimer's Disease patient.](/sites/g/files/qhldwo8606/files/styles/max_1300x1300/public/2024-01/patricia-avatar.jpg?itok=98hHi7MC)
Patricia, 76, lives with her daughter and primary caregiver Rachel, and Rachel's familya
Current Presentation
- Alzheimer’s dementia (diagnosed 3 years ago); taking cholinesterase inhibitor
- Mini-Mental State Exam=21 (consistent with last visit)
Caregiver reported recent agitation symptoms
- Occasional screaming (aggressive)
- General restlessness (physically non-aggressive)
- Repeatedly asking for attention (verbally agitated)
“My mother is getting angry and frustrated more often. And now she’s restless, and even wandering. I'm at a loss for how to help her."
— Rachel, caregiver
![Patient with Agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease being consoled by her caregiver. Patient with Agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease being consoled by her caregiver.](/sites/g/files/qhldwo8606/files/styles/max_1300x1300/public/2024-01/image-patricia.jpg?itok=UxHRD-Nw)
aHypothetical patient and caregiver
Ronald, 82, is a long-term resident in a nursing home facilitya
Current Presentation
- Alzheimer’s dementia (diagnosed 5 years ago); receiving cholinesterase inhibitor and NMDA antagonist
- Mini-Mental State Exam=18 (consistent with last visit)
- Previous exam showed no history of UTI
Caregiver reported recent agitation symptoms
- Hurting oneself/others (aggressive)
- Repetitive mannerisms (physically non-aggressive)
- Constant requests for attention (verbally agitated)
NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate; UTI, urinary tract infection.
“My staff tells me that Ronald is disruptive and sometimes aggressive during activities, and repeated attempts at behavior modification haven’t worked."
— Director of Nursing
![Patient Ronald experiencing agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimers disease symptoms at nursing facility. Patient Ronald experiencing agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimers disease symptoms at nursing facility.](/sites/g/files/qhldwo8606/files/styles/max_1300x1300/public/2023-07/ronald-image.jpg?itok=lgFyMaxt)
aHypothetical resident and caregiver